Fanatics Fest is back in 2025 and I'm excited to hit NYC with my wife this year, after missing last year.

As a sports card content creator, my big question is will Fanatics (who owns Topps), have success converting over the casual sports fans over to sports card and/or collectibles collectors. Since Fanatics has entered the scene a few years back buying into the trading card industry, they have pushed hard to expand the marketing of the industry, and we have continued to see growth.

 

 

 

Here’s what to expect at Fanatics Fest 2025, and how it will build on last year to become an even more exciting experience—including the return and expansion of sports card vendors:

🎉 Bigger, Better, Bolder: What’s New in 2025

🎁 More Collectibles & Card-Centric Features

🤩 Interactive Activities & Fan Experiences

  • Fanatics Games: Fans vs. athletes in real-world challenges (VR Home Run Derby, obstacle courses, Hobby Horse Hoops), with over $2 million in prizes—including a LeBron Chrome PSA 10 waxzonesports.com.

  • Live Podcasts & Panels: Appearances from ESPN’s First Take (Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim), LeBron’s The Shop, Peyton & Eli Manning’s “Franchise Faces,” and more pagesix.com+3the-sun.com+3chron.com+3.

  • Celebrity Activations: Jay‑Z’s 40/40 Club pop-up lounge, actor and musician spotlights, and immersive stage moments sportsbusinessjournal.com+2pagesix.com+2nypost.com+2.

✅ Compare to 2024

Feature Fanatics Fest 2024 Fanatics Fest 2025
Scale & Attendance ~70,000 fans ~150,000 fans; 40% larger footprint
Collectibles Layout Isolated card area Integrated dealers + 700 tables
Memorabilia Exhibit Modest showcases $200M “Museum of Greatness”
Logistics Overcrowding & VIP chaos Improved autograph flows and staging
Exclusive & Athlete Line-up MLB, NFL, NBA panels Global leagues, Jay‑Z pop-up, Topps drops

🧭 Will There Be Sports Card Vendors?

Absolutely, yes!

🎯 Final Take

  • Expect a blockbuster card-and-collectibles experience—not just a sports meetup.

  • More star power, vastly improved logistics, and stronger integration of the card hobby.

  • Whether you're hunting vintage gems, modern rookies, or limited-edition drops, the 2025 Fest is the best yet.

  • And yes, sports card vendors are a major focus—from pop-up exclusives to packed vendor rows and immersive museum displays.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a concise summary of what you can expect at Fanatics Fest 2025 and why it’ll be even better than last year—especially if you're a sports card collector or investor:

🏟️ Fanatics Fest 2025 Highlights

📍 When & Where

  • Dates: August 16–18, 2025

  • Location: Javits Center, New York City

  • Expected Attendance: ~150,000 fans (up from 70,000 in 2024)

🔥 What Makes It Bigger & Better Than 2024

Feature 2024 2025 Upgrade
Attendance ~70,000 ~150,000
Card Dealer Tables <300 700+ tables
Exclusive Drops Topps Series 2 only F1 sets, chrome parallels, and Fanatics exclusives
Special Guests Athletes & hobby influencers LeBron, Tom Brady, Jay-Z, Wemby, Kevin Hart
Logistics Some crowd issues Redesigned floor plan, smoother VIP & auto sessions
Hobby Integration Card area was separate Dealers now integrated throughout the show

🧾 Yes — There Will Be Sports Card Vendors

  • 700+ vendor tables spread across the show floor.

  • Featuring vintage and modern cards from all major sports.

  • Exclusive Topps and Fanatics product drops, including:

    • 2025 Topps Series 2 special “Fanatics Fest” parallels.

    • In-person-only Formula 1 Topps Chrome packs.

  • On-site grading, card trading lounges, and “grail showcases” valued over $200 million.

🏆 Special Features Just for Card Collectors

  • Museum of Greatness: Includes Grail-level cards of Jordan, Brady, Ruth, Messi, and Ohtani.

  • Live Break Stages: Multiple live break events from top influencers and breakers.

  • Interactive Panel Rooms: Hobby Q&A with Topps designers, graders, and collectors.

  • Fanatics Vault Marketplace access for live trades and portfolio management.

👥 Celebrity Appearances & Panels

  • LeBron James, Tom Brady, Victor Wembanyama, Jay-Z, and Kevin Hart will all headline.

  • ESPN’s First Take will broadcast live with Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim.

  • Peyton & Eli Manning, Sue Bird, and others are slated for sports debates and game show-style panels.

🎮 Interactive Zones

  • Fan vs. Athlete Games: Win real prizes (including cards and signed memorabilia).

  • VR Experiences: Swing against MLB pitchers, shoot NBA 3-pointers, etc.

  • Over $2 million in giveaways, including a LeBron Chrome PSA 10.

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